Hearing about suicides in young people scares the daylight out of me.
Some of you may know that Outward Bound is in my DNA, having worked in both Australia and the USA as a facilitator and program manager for 7 years.
For most people, especially for school children from protective families, the first few days were hell on earth for them.
What do you mean I have to go to the loo in a hole?
Do you mean at some stage I have to cook for 20 others?
What! This sheet of plastic is what I am camping under for the next 10 days??
An Inspiring History Of Experience Beyond Expectations
The origins of Outward Bound go back to World War 2. Too many young, fit British sailors were perishing after the Germans bombed their ship. However the overweight, unfit, older sailors were surviving.
Dr Kurt Hahn, a noted educationalist of the time recognised that, unlike the older, experienced sailors, the young sailors needed to experience more tough life experiences.
Hahn found that people who were put in challenging, adventurous outdoor situations gained confidence, redefined their own perceptions of their personal possibilities, demonstrated compassion, and developed a spirit of camaraderie with their peers.
Outward Bound was a naval term describing a ship heading out of the safe harbour into the unknowns of the ocean.
The results spoke for themselves with the young Outward Bound graduates having a greater rate of survival for the remainder of WW2.
Character Development Matters For Sustainable Business Success
I enjoy injecting a dash of ‘Outward Bound” into my programs as I see the long lasting benefit of challenging a manager’s character, not just their ability to get the job done.
Hahn’s belief that character development was just as important as academic achievement is still very true to this day.
To know more about how we can apply some elements of the principles of Outward Bound into developing effective teams and inspiring leaders, CONTACT US
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